South African producers, exporters and packhouses are taking part in a commercial trial to get Forelle pears shipped to Europe earlier than usual in a bid to gain optimum ripeness, quality and beat Chile on standards.

Forelle is the country's second largest cultivar and the initiative is taking place against a backdrop of oversupply in Europe from Poland, the Netherlands and Belgium.

Hortgro production manager Jacques du Preez, told www.freshfruitportal.com Forelle shipments to continental Europe would start in two weeks time.

"We are forcing them to keep Forelle in the country for six weeks cold storage for optimum ripeness and quality. We are busy getting the technology together to do this on time."

He said that Chile, which started its Forelle shipments earlier this month, currently doesn't have  quality protocols whereas South Africa has self-imposed ones on Forelle and all its major cultivars.

"Each orchard is highly monitored. If you don't treat Forelle right then it's not a good tasting experience. Our fruit will be crisp and sweet not soft and juicy. We will communicate this on the fruit's labels."

He said Hortgro was working with the Forelle Producer Association to protect the cultivar's name and image.

Over the next seven weeks the majority of South Africa's pears will be shipped, but the challenge will be finding markets given the oversupply of conference pears in Europe.

"We will have to be clever about our marketing, it's not like we are going into things blindfolded. The Southern Hemisphere knows there's a lot of stock in Europe.

"We have to be intelligent about where we send it, timing and prices. We will have to communicate to retailers and importers to make sure it's sold."

Du Preez added that at least there were more options with the developing Middle and Far East markets currently accounting for 10% and 20% of exports respectively.

"Hopefully, we can sell more to the Middle and Far East. It's early days but it will be tough."

He said earlier varieties such as Williams Bon Chretien were being sent to canning factories to ease the problem, while increased sales to juice producers was also a good alternative.

Over the next seven weeks South Africa will be looking to shift all its key varieties, including unusually high volumes of Abate Fetel, although 2012 production levels are expected to show a marginal 1.6% year-on-year decrease.

Photo: Specialityproduce.com

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